Chewy Molasses Spice Cookies

Pin It

I have a cookie recipe that I use several times a year. This recipe is originally from the  Oskaloosa Christian School cookbook, from J. DeBruin, and I've adjusted the recipe a bit by adding cloves to make it more of a spice cookie. 

Begin by brewing a pot of coffee to enjoy with the finished product.  The spice and molasses is unbelievably good with a strong cup of coffee.

Then, Cream 1 1/4 Cup Shortening (Crisco) and 2 Cups white sugar until fluffy.  Add 2 eggs and continue to cream.

Add 1/2 Cup Molasses.  We also have a sorgham mill a few miles outside of our small town.  Sorgham would be a slightly sweeter taste, with abit less of the Molasses-y bite.

You are done with the "wet" ingredients, now mix the "drys." 

To mix the "drys", add 4 Cups of white flour, 5 tsp soda, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1 1/2 tsp cloves, and a dash of salt.

Slowly add your "dry" ingredients to your "wet" ingredients.  Slowly, because you may end up with a floury mess if you add it all at once to the mixer.

Optional:  Fold in Black Walnuts to the dough.We received our black walnuts from an elderly neighbor.  Black walnuts are woods-y tasting, almost a buttery flavor when paired with a spice of some kind.  Can be a stronger taste.

Dip into balls onto culinary parchment, or on a greased baking pan.

Or, flatten with your hands onto parchment paper and cut out heart shapes or shape of your choice. I used some heart shapes.  The parchment paper is so so so much easier than flour on the counter.  A metal spatula can easily transfer them to your baking pan.

 

  

Bake at 350 for BARELY 10 minutes.  As soon as the begin to crack, take them out!  It is tempting to want to leave them in until they get a nice beautiful bakery looking crackle, but then they will not be chewy.  This is a touch to long.....

These, below are just right, barely a crackle.  THAT is the secret to chewy cookies.

Pick up the dishes!

Chewy Molasses Spice Cookies
Cream:
1 1/4 Cup shortening
2 Cups white sugar

Add:
2 eggs
1/2 Cup Molasses

Stir together and add to creamed mixture:
4 Cups Flour
5 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp nutmed
1 1/2 tsp cloves
dash of salt.

Dip into balls, flatten slightly with palm, bake at 350 for 10 min.